Lack of effect of levallorphan on analgesia induced by intraventricular application of porcine calcitonin in mice.

Intraventricular administration to mice porcine calcitonin (10 U/kg) as well as of morphine (3 microgram/kg) elevated the threshold pressure of stimuli applied to the base of the tail as assessed by squeaking, struggling or biting, all of which were regarded as manifestations of pain sensation in the animals. Pretreatment with an opiate antagonist, levallorphan (30 mg/kg i.p.) showed no influence upon the analgesic effect of calcitonin, though it completely antagonized the effect of morphine. The results suggested that a peptide hormone, calcitonin, exerted its analgesic action in a manner distinct from the narcotic analgesic.